New DSLR - Pentax K5

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by mkauff

Mr Bump, seeing that you appear to have taken ownership of this thread, why not try and get specific user info/tips that will make life easier for all of us? Just a suggestion.

It would not be correct to say I have taken ownership mkauff. In fact, having only joined last November I am the new boy here. Hinfrance and Sue Allen, who both regularly contribute, have far more Pentax experience than I do, as I moved from years of Nikon when I bought the K-5.

The K-5 manual is quite well written but a bit of a handful. Hopefully Magic Lantern might produce a user-friendly guide like they did for the K-7 but really trhe K-5 seems to me fairly intuitive to use. I think there have been a number of user tips for the K-5 and lenses in this very long thread but best thing is if you have particular queries mkauff post them here and hopefully between us we can answer them. That goes for anyone else with queries.

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[Mr Bump]

Slightly old news as this was first announced a month ago but Pentax will soon release a silver version of the K-5 with a limit of just 50 being available in the UK. With it they are releasing silver versions of the 21mm, 40mm and 70mm pancake LTD lenses.

Those who like their camera to glint in the sun, or perhaps complement their silver lamé attire, will no doubt have to pay significantly more than the current street prices for the standard items.

The interest for users of the standard black version is that the silver K-5 is described in the press release as having a redesigned improved grip and the LCD status panel and monitor are of new shockproof, scratch-resistant reinforced glass. The glass change begs a question or two.

Here it is for anyone interested.

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[Mr Bump]

For anyone who missed the announcement last week I thought I'd mention that K-5 firmware version 1.03 is available to download here and here.

Version 1.03

* Improved autofocus accuracy in low intensity lighting conditions.
* General performance and stability improvements.

Some who have installed the update report that K-5 low light front-focus issues are noticeably improved whereas others report no significant difference. It's a try-it-and-see situation which may involve resetting any previous AF fine adjustments.

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[HinFrance]

I haven't installed the new firmware yet. It'll be interesting to see what difference it makes.

[Mr Bump]

Metz announcement on 16 February: Users of Metz flash units with Pentax Kr and K-5 DSLRs can download a Metz firmware update here for improved functionality, described on their English language site as:

1. Servo mode with preflash suppression possible.
2. EV correction remains after power off/on.
3. Rear function with Pentax K-r and K-5.[/I]

No 3 above is not very clear due to losing something in the translation of '2. Verschlussvorhang mit Pentax K-r und K-5' on the German site. Verschlussvorhang is shutter-curtain so it is most likely rear(2nd)-curtain sync functionality for the Kr/K-5 that has been added. Does anyone disagree?

There have been a few posts on other forums to suggest problems of over-exposure with the Metz 58 AF-* when used with the K-5 for bounce flash but it has also been reported that downloading the firmware update appears to have addressed that, although it is not specifically mentioned on the Metz download web page.

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Edit: I just checked the German language section of my Mecablitz 50 AF-1 operating manual and found that '2. Verschlussvorhang' is indeed rear(2nd)-curtain sync.

[HinFrance]

Thanks for that Bumpy - I'll go off and check that now. I hope it applies to 58AF-1s as well as the newer Mk2s.

[HinFrance]

I've loaded the new firmware onto the K5 and the Metz. Too early to tell what difference any of it has made, but at least everything is working. Apparently.

[mkauff]

Question: I have bought a Sigma 17-70mm to fit to the K5, yet frequently expereience problems opening the aperture (2.8) below 4.5; possibly due to a software issue, or has this been expereinced before? I also have the ist DL body, no problems there.

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by mkauff

Question: I have bought a Sigma 17-70mm to fit to the K5, yet frequently expereience problems opening the aperture (2.8) below 4.5; possibly due to a software issue, or has this been expereinced before? I also have the ist DL body, no problems there.

Which version of the 17-70 do you have mkauff? - the f2.8-4.5 DC Macro or the f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM?

Presumably you mean no f2.8 at 17mm focal length, which is the only focal length that gives full aperture. If that is the case, what shooting mode are you using and what happens if you try to reduce the aperture to f2.8 with the e-dial when the lens is set to 17mm focal length? Does the problem occur regardless of which shooting mode you set on the mode dial?

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[mkauff]

Hi Mr Bump

Will answerfully later, am having one of those weeks...